This dissertation was written as a part of the MSc in Energy Building Design at the International Hellenic University. With the implementation of Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB), international as well national legislations are tending to have a tougher stance regarding the energy performance of the buildings. By implementing high envelope performance and well insulated buildings, heat flows through linear thermal bridges is of high importance in the calculation of total envelope heat flow. Despite their significance (in the accuracy of the calculation, the potential problems that can arise concerning health, maintenance costs and false selection of HVAC systems), thermal bridge effect in all calculation methodologies follows a simplified approach even neglected in some national regulations and building codes, in proportion to the literature it might be inaccurate. This study aims to calculate the actual heat flow through thermal bridges by using a dynamic simulation approach by implementing a transient finite element method software tool in order to investigate the accurate impact as well as to compare it with the steady state methods that are dominant and to evaluate the necessity of this change.
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